Thanks to a targeted strategy and the return of confidence from operators: Morocco ready to welcome its tourists
The strong comeback of the Morocco destination was felt as soon as the borders reopened
Since this date, the enthusiasm of tourists has not weakened. Tourist arrivals at border crossings recorded a sharp rebound of 215% during the first four months of 2022, reaching 1.5 million. According to the Department of Treasury and External Finance (DTFE), this growth follows an increase of 428% for foreign tourists and 129% for Moroccans living abroad (MRE).
In this sense, tourism activity is showing positive developments at the start of 2022 thanks in particular to the reopening of national borders from February 7, the improvement in the health situation and the implementation of an emergency program to support the sector. Compared to the same period of 2019, the total number of arrivals is down 59.5%, or 69% for foreign tourists and 42.5% for MRE.
The indicators are expected to continue to improve over the coming months due to the removal of the obligation to present a PCR test at air borders. The establishment by the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) of a unique international campaign “Morocco, Land of Light”, will also play an important role during the summer period.
After a period overshadowed by the global health crisis, its variants and its socio-economic consequences, the promising prospects opening up for tourism in Morocco are the result of the various initiatives carried out by the authorities, particularly in terms of managing the pandemic. Mass vaccination and the precautionary measures introduced made it possible to overcome this major crisis. Likewise, an emergency plan has been put in place with a budget of 2 billion dirhams to support this sector which constitutes a share of 7% of GDP and provides direct employment for nearly 750,000 people and indirect employment for 2 million people. The system put in place and the efforts made have made it possible to maintain the confidence of international tourist operators. Added to this are the large-scale campaigns carried out by national tourism stakeholders.
After the dizzying fall in the main indicators in 2020 (-79% of arrivals at border posts and -72% of overnight stays compared to 2019), the year 2021 saw a real recovery. Although it was a difficult year for the sector, with the appearance of new variants of the virus and the uncertainties that hung over the future, the tourism industry in Morocco showed its resilience and its capacity for renewal. With the maintenance of domestic tourism activity and the gradual resumption of air transport from June 15, 2021, the various sector indicators showed positive results compared to 2020 (+34% of arrivals at border posts, +32% of overnight stays, a virtual stabilization of the occupancy rate and a slight drop in travel revenue of around -6%). However, these figures remained lower than the levels recorded during the period before the pandemic with an estimated drop of nearly -71% in terms of tourist arrivals compared to 2019, a decline of -64% in terms of overnight stays, a drop in the occupancy rate of 23 pts and a loss of -44.5 billion dirhams in terms of revenue (i.e. -56%).
Things seem to be changing in 2022. In order to promote the Morocco offer, the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) has increased its partnerships. It joined forces with and the National Tourism Confederation (CNT) in mid-April 2022 by signing an agreement, the first of its kind, covering several key aspects for the revival and strengthening of the attractiveness of the sector such as internal tourism and innovation. Among the main initiatives of this convention, the creation of two task forces aimed at strengthening the presence of the Morocco destination among international travel advisors. Thus, the International Competitiveness task force’s mission is to meet international markets while the Product task force’s mission is to highlight the levers allowing Morocco to be elevated to the best ranks of competitive destinations at the international level for the Gulf, Mice, cruises, water sports, nature and hiking. This partnership will also allow the two parties to unify their efforts with a view to forming a strong force in the face of international competition and tackling the challenges of reviving the tourism sector at the national and international level. The Office and the Confederation are committed to working to strengthen internal tourism, by pooling their expertise to develop innovative and practical solutions to problems linked to distribution.
source: today.ma
